Maria Quiban Whitesell - You Cant Do It Alone: A Widows Journey Through Loss, Grief and Life After

Maria has gifted us with a tender account of her life, loss, and hope. A true labor of love that gives us compassion, insight, and wisdom. An important book for anyone facing the challenge of loss.

David Kessler, author of Finding Meaning

An intimate, poignant saga of one familys journey through a cancer diagnosis; modeling genuineness and openness in preparing a young child to face his fathers impending death. Combined with insights from a clinical expert, we are granted a close-up window into living with glioblastoma, making the most of the time we have together, and navigating the multifaceted manifestations of grief.

Fredda Wasserman, MA, MPH, LMFT, CT, coauthor of Saying Goodbye to Someone You Love

Marias powerful book will help many who are trying to navigate the complicated journey of grief. So many are at a complete loss when they experience the death of a loved one that profoundly shakes their entire foundation. In this enlightening volume, Maria turns personal tragedy into triumph and provides practical, accessible ways to cope with the realities of life while mourning her husband.

Dr. Judy Ho, award-winning clinical psychologist, TV personality, and author of Stop Self-Sabotage

Provides clarity, support, and comfort on all levels for anyone grieving a loss.

Karen Phelps Moyer, founder, Camp Erin & Camp Mariposa child bereavement camps

Navigating the advanced serious illness and death of her husband, Sean, presented Maria not just with grieving his loss, but also helping their five-year-old son Gus understand and adjust. Their story and lessons learned may help other young families facing the unexpected early death of a spouse and parent. With helpful comments and suggestions from grief therapist Lauren Schneider at the close of each chapter, I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to better understand their own journey, or support friends and family coping with young children whose parent is seriously ill.

Donna Schuurman, Senior Director of Advocacy & Training, Executive Director Emeritus, The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families

You Cant Do It Alone is a must-read. Not just for those who suffer from a debilitating illness, but for those who seek to understand and cope with lifes struggles while living with persistence and purpose.

Roy Firestone, ESPN broadcaster and author

Maria Quiban Whitesell takes us through her heartbreaking journey as a loving caregiver for her husband with glioblastoma and a loving mother to her young son. Her articulate yet unfiltered account provides a raw narrative of the impact of this terrible disease on her family. Her message that you cant do it alone is poignantly conveyed, which makes this a must-read not only for caregivers on the front line of a terminal disease but also for those who are looking to support caregivers.

Dr. Timothy F. Cloughesy, Professor and Director, UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program

Maria, through her own very personal experience, gives us all a glimpse and model for resiliency. She beautifully brings the reader back to a truth that those of us who work with the human being know vividly: you cannot do it alone.

Dr. Drew Pinsky, media personality, author, board-certified physician

Maria has written an honest and beautiful account of her heartbreaking journey and how to find hope, comfort, and healing in the face of an unthinkable tragedy. Thank you, Maria, for sharing this story that will undoubtedly help countless others to weather such storms and ultimately lead back to love and, yes, to sunnier days. You are an inspiration!

Danica McKellar, actress (The Wonder Years, Hallmark movies) and New York Times bestselling author of Kiss My Math

The loss of a spouse over many months is, at times, unbearable, and is, at times, a loving experience. I know. Ive been there. Maria captures the intense highs and deflating lowsby the end of this extraordinary book, Maria leaves us awed, breathless and hopeful.

Tom Fontana, producer/screenwriter/author

Maria Quiban Whitesells voice is contemplative and honest, never straying into self-pity or mawkishness. Her advice is eminently sensible, born of experience and bolstered by observations from a trained therapist following each chapter. This is a heroic, useful, and beautiful memoir. It will provide solace and counsel to all else who sadly have to travel in her steps.

Scott Seckel, author of Arizona Time: A Novel & Five Shorts

This rare and raw look at a testimony to life, love, and the heart-wrenching journey of saying goodbye to the ones we hold most dear is going to help many, many people. No one wants to have to write this story, I am just grateful Maria Quiban Whitesell had the compassion and strength to do it.

Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997, television host/executive producer of the hit show Modern Wahine Hawaii

I highly recommend this read for anyone experiencing loss, and certainly for those who are caregivers and having to witness the transitioning of a loved one in the presence of a child. Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story and labor of love with us. Know your work is not done in vain, and we are enlightened and inspired because of it.

Noelle Reid, MD, Family Medicine, Trinity Health and Wellness Medical Group

To

Sean David Gerard (Aloysius) Whitesell

Thank you for loving me

For always believing in me

And for telling me all those years there was a writer in me too